All you need to know about Burges Salmon’s apprenticeship programme.
Burges Salmon solicitor apprenticeship review 2025
Chambers Student: How is the solicitor apprenticeship structured at the firm?
Jess McGee, resourcing specialist: The solicitor apprenticeship at the firm is structured into different stages. It involves a Level 7 apprenticeship which is a six-year program. Apprentices spend the first two years as a paralegal before moving into the final four years as a solicitor apprentice. This structure provides a natural break point for apprentices to decide if they want to continue on to the Level 7 solicitor program and achieve a law degree as part of their path to qualification. Legal apprentices spend a year in each seat for their first four years, and in their final two years they join the trainee six-seat rotation. Legal apprentices therefore have the potential to experience ten different seats throughout the apprenticeship, meaning that they are exposed to a huge variety of legal areas across the firm.
CS: Why did you decide to apply for a legal apprenticeship? What was the appeal of this path into the profession compared to other routes?
Harry Keaveney, apprentice: I decided to become an apprentice because I believed that the structure of the programme suited the way I prefer to learn. For example, I learn better in practical environments, and that’s exactly what an apprenticeship offers me. The caring and fast-paced environment at Burges Salmon allows me to gain exposure to wide variety of tasks that I wouldn’t have been able to do if I followed the traditional university route.
“… it gave me the chance to see my university studies take place in real life and earn a degree without incurring any debt.”
Amelia Hartley-Baker, apprentice: I had never been overly interested in the university experience despite wanting to continue my education. Therefore, once I discovered the degree apprenticeship route, it was impossible to not recognise all of its benefits. I found that I learn best hands-on, so the opportunity to work alongside lawyers on the job impressed me. I also applied as it gave me the chance to see my university studies take place in real life and earn a degree without incurring any debt. Instead, the legal apprenticeship allows you to be paid for learning and developing your expertise. Still, I was most excited by the opportunity to have six years of legal work experience under my belt by the age of 24.
CS: What has the experience been like so far?
HK: I am currently in the firm’s real estate department. My daily tasks include helping to sell nearly 3,200 acres of land (one of the biggest transactions in the south west!), ordering official copies from the Land Registry, attending completion calls, helping to draft leases, attending (lots) of training sessions as well as sitting in on meetings with national and international clients.
AH-B: I am currently sitting with our dispute resolution department. My day-to-day work includes managing correspondence, billing for clients, creating bundles for court, and liaising with the lawyers. The expertise and communication skills that I have gained from working in such a collaborative environment are beyond valuable. The apprenticeship definitely comes with some challenges, but the benefits truly outweigh them. The support you are given from both university and the workplace is immense so you never feel like you have to worry about something in silence.
CS: What is the balance between studying and work experience? How did you find the study element? JM: Apprentices are given one study day a week (a Monday) which is dedicated purely to studying for their academic qualifications. Extra study time is also given around exam periods. Apprentices are encouraged to protect that time and are not expected to take on any work for the firm on those days.
AH-B: I think it’s the most challenging thing to adapt to at first. However, you receive one set study day each week where you will focus solely on your university studies rather than work. I enjoy the study element of the apprenticeship as it often allows you to see the logical side behind some of the work that you might complete in the office. Apprentices study many legal modules in the same way that traditional university law students do. There are also mock exams to prepare you for your summative assessments and coursework which encourages you to reflect on some of your most exciting workplace tasks.
CS: What sort of training, mentorship and support do you get as a legal apprentice?
JM: Apprentices have a legal supervisor in each seat, a dedicated people team contact and are supported by our learning and development team for their progression. The apprentice, supervisor and coach from BPP (our training provider) also meet regularly to discuss their academic performance. They also sit with our client support team for the first few months, where they are trained on the firm’s systems and processes. Here, they undertake training on the basics of creating legal documents and carry out tasks such as creating bundles for court.
HK: When I joined the firm I was allocated a ‘buddy’ for the first couple of months. My buddy was really helpful with initially showing me the ropes with how things work. One thing I have found is that everyone (from legal assistants to partners) is really happy to talk about anything.
AH-B: When I first started my apprenticeship, I began a week-long training induction to get to grips with the firm’s equipment and software. Training throughout the apprenticeship can range from in-person training sessions to asking my colleagues how to do a certain task.
“Successful candidates often impress by showcasing their research and understanding of the firm and its values, as well as commitment to the apprenticeship and a genuine interest in pursuing a career in law.”
CS: How does the application process work and what does the firm look for?
JM: The application starts with an online application form, and 40 candidates are shortlisted for the assessment centre. Ten candidates from this selection are then invited to a work experience week – similar to a vacation scheme – which culminates with an interview with a partner or director and a member of the resourcing team. The firm looks for candidates who align with its values and demonstrate good communication skills and attention to detail. It's not just about having the 'right' experience, but how candidates present their skills and potential. Successful candidates often impress by showcasing their research and understanding of the firm and its values, as well as commitment to the apprenticeship and a genuine interest in pursuing a career in law.
“I love the fact that one morning I might be working on a solar project in Scotland, and the next day helping to draft a lease for a new residential project in London.”
CS: What has been your favourite moment of the solicitor apprenticeship? HK: Meeting all the people and working on such varied projects! I love the fact that one morning I might be working on a solar project in Scotland, and then the next day helping to draft a lease for a new residential project in London. The social side of the firm is also amazing; there are so many opportunities to meet new people all the time.
AH-B: I think it’s been the relationships that I have built with other members of the firm. There is a stigma around the apprenticeship route that indicates that you completely miss out on the social side of what university life offers. Although you may not be going out partying multiple times throughout the week, I have found my apprenticeship to be very social. It is really rewarding to see how many friends I have already made in such a short period of time and there are ongoing apprentice socials as well as firmwide events to get involved in.
CS: Any final words of wisdom?
JM: Research is key to having a standout application – we want to be able to see that candidates have thoroughly researched the firm and are interested in what Burges Salmon do. This is a two-way process, so we also want to know that we are the right fit for you, as well as you being the right fit for us. Attention to detail is of course really important, and showing a genuine interest in law – but above all, be yourself!
AH-B: Lots of applicants may worry about lack of experience in the legal sector, but it is important to remember that the firm understands that you are right at the beginning of your career. What matters most is showing that you have gone out and done something, whether that is legal experience or general business experience, as it will reveal your drive to get involved in a professional environment. You can also link hobbies, A-level work, and any other valuable or challenging experiences that you have encountered into certain interview answers. All of these varied experiences and conquered difficulties can provide any candidate with a unique selling point.
HK: Be honest! Don’t try and portray yourself as perfect in every way, as nobody is. Most of the time, a firm is looking for a well-rounded person, which means admitting some flaws isn’t always a bad thing, as long as you also tell them how you are working to fix those flaws.